Siobhan McHugh 3rd Year Social Work QUB
Natalie Goodall 3rd Year Social Work QUB
Siobhan and Natalie,
On Route to Fresno, long trip!
Learning Opportunities experienced,
thanks to Dr Kris Clarke.





18th August: Madera Social Services.
Shadowing experienced social workers for the day.
•
Attended Madera family court.
•
Natalie: Madera Crisis response team.
•
Siobhan: Madera Fieldwork team.
 19th August: Angels of Grace (Foster family Agency).
 Spending the day with Lisa Casuez MSW, CEO of Angels of
Grace.
•
Introduced to the team, at facilities of Angels of Grace.
•
Visit to foster children in Hospital.
•
Introduced to foster carers.
Learning opportunities continued:
 20th August: Spirit of Women, (Non-profit organization







providing a holistic substance abuse program)
Spending the day in the Residential facility with woman
and their children.
•
Introduction to Audrey Riley, founder and Executive
Director.
•
Assisting with caring duties and play activities with
babies and children in the crèche facility.
•
Talking to mothers on the program.
•
Talking part in: Anger management class
: Good parenting class.
Learning opportunities continued:











21st August: Juvenile Justice Youth Prison.
•
Tour of Juvenile Justice Prison.
•
Talking to program facilitators.
26th August: Fresno State University.
•
Opportunity to sit in Dr Clarke’s Social Work class.
•
Met with and getting to know students.
•
Deliver Presentation on Social Work in Northern Ireland.
27th August: Kings Canyon School district.
•
Visit to Reedley Middles College, High school.
•
Introduction to schools program: Conflict resolution skills,
restorative justice program, peace building initiative positive
behavioural interventions, building healthy teen relationships.
Learning opportunities continued:





28th August: Fresno Unified School Services.
•
Visiting a number of schools in Fresno.
•
Meeting Children.
•
Talking to Administration staff.
•
Talking to School based Social Workers.
 29th August: Soul School, (last stop before kids are
permanently expelled).
•
Visit to school.
•
Presentation on life in Northern Ireland.
•
Talking to and answering questions from children.
Presenting at Fresno State
University
Meeting the Children and
Presenting at SOUL school
Spending the day with Lisa Casuez
MSW, Angels of Grace Foster
Family Agency
Population of Fresno compared to
Northern Ireland
FRESNO













Culturally diverse
High levels of Poverty
High levels of Homelessness
Loyal communities
Community Development
Environmental injustice
Poor Life expectancy
Educational attainment
Gangs
Gun Culture
Drought
Agriculture
Poor Public Transport
Snap shot of learning outcomes:
 Self-awareness
 Mind stimulating
 Critical thinking
 Reflection
 Use of Resources, I am a resource.
 New Appreciation of UK Welfare State
 Importance of Social policy
 Access to education
 Advocating for the vulnerable
Personal Statement of learning
outcomes: Natalie Goodall
“The exchange programme to Fresno allowed me to ‘think globally,
act locally,’ as we are now all operating in conditions affected by
globalization. The exchange programme increased my cultural
competence. It gave me the opportunity for me to become critically
reflective as a global citizen of my own personal awareness of my
own identity, prejudges and attitudes of globalization and its
effects. The exchange programme allowed me to explore different
skills and values that broadened my mind. It also increased my
knowledge base by exploring different ways of providing best social
work practice. The exchange programme allowed me to view social
issues that happen locally in a new vision by comparing similarities
in different contexts”.
“We need diversity of thought in the world to face new challenges
and Fresno gave me that opportunity”.
Personal Statement of learning
outcomes: Siobhan McHugh
“The International Social Work experience to Fresno was an excellent
opportunity to enhance my knowledge of global issues and social work
experience. In Fresno, along with state provided services, Social Work is
intricately linked with the idea of charity work. Passionate individuals
with charismatic characters provide many needed services in the state.
We had the privilege of meeting a few of these fascinating personalities
and had an insight into their social work world. For me, the visit to Fresno
increased my cultural competence by recognizing the strengths that exist
in other cultures. It encouraged me to develop an understanding of my
own personal and cultural values and beliefs, it raised awareness and an
appreciation of the importance of heritage and multicultural identity in
others.
The Fresno experience has linked teaching from lectures at Queens to
real life situations and enriched learning and understanding, helping on
our journey to be more culturally competent for practice in a diverse,
multicultural and global world”.
Thank you
Special thanks to:
 Dr Janet Anand
 Dr Kris Clarke
 Rick Clarke
 Queens University
 Fresno State University